Dr. Henry Paul, MD

Psychiatrist, Author and Educator

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CHEERLEADING: FEWER INJURIES BUT MORE SEVERE

December 17th, 2015

Interesting study out last week that says that cheerleading is a less dangerous sport for teens. The report does note that even though there are fewer accidents those that do happen tend to be more severe and more likely to result in concussions.

23544067_sAccording to Reuters, “On average, cheerleading typically has less than one injury for every 1,000 minutes of participation time, meaning there’s no more than one accident every 17 hours, the study found.”

According to the report the only sports that are safer are track and field and swimming. The injury rates are obviously much higher for football and surprisingly high for girls’ soccer.

It is a very difficult decision that parents have to make when deciding whether or not to let their child participate in sports, particularly ones that are deemed dangerous. On one hand, children need to get exercise and it is good character building for young people to participate in team sports. On the other hand, when faced with the news about concussions and death it is not surprising that parents are fearful for their children’s safety when playing a sport like football. Look, even if you’re not a football fan, you can’t turn on the television without hearing something about the ongoing controversy over concussions and football.

The debate has been raging in this country for years now about the lack of exercise and the growing waistline of our young Americans. So how do parents decide where to draw the line? I think that you have to take into account that so many sports, like track and field, baseball, swimming and cheerleading are important because they get kids active, they build self-esteem and they teach comradery and teamwork.

I recommend that if parents have concerns that they discuss them with their pediatrician, the school and their children. Here are some alternatives to team sports that I recommend to help keep your child active.

  • Sports that are off the playing field such as skiing, swimming, Tae Kwon do, running, kick-boxing, resistance/weight training, etc. are very good for exercising. These days with extreme sports kids are finding where they “fit in” so take an interest in what they’re interested in and encourage them to pursue it.
  • Encourage exercise at the local gym. Suggest that they go with their friends. Encourage them to embrace exercise as a lifestyle change that they will have for a lifetime.
  • Outdoor sports such as kayaking, bike riding and hiking are also good alternatives. They can also be done in groups to encourage comradery.

Please send me your thoughts on exercise.

LINKS
Cheerleading Among the Safest Sports
Sitting Around Isn’t Good for Anyone’s Health

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

CAN YOU REALLY PREDICT SUICIDE WITH A BLOOD TEST?

July 31st, 2014

Being able to identify those at high risk for suicide is vital for prevention, but there is not currently a reliable way to predict this risk. Now, researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, say they have found a chemical alteration in a gene linked to stress responses that could enable the creation of a blood test to predict a person’s risk of suicide consistently. (Medicalnewstoday.com)

In a press release today from John Hopkins University, researchers there say they have discovered a chemical alteration in a single human gene linked to stress reactions that, if confirmed in larger studies, could give doctors a simple blood test to reliably predict a person’s risk of attempting suicide. Researchers were able to predict who had experienced suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide just by looking at their blood. The experimental test was over 80% accurate.

When reading about a new study like this, we all get excited. This happened when it was announced that bipolar illness was linked with color blindness, or homosexuality (which was considered an illness until recently) was indicated by amygdala size. These types of simplistic correlations usually fade out or are quietly buried when further evidence is lacking or when contradictory evidence shows up. Suicide is a very complex topic having to do with cultural, subcultural, emotional, psychological and mostly unconscious strivings. While such reports whet my appetite for short-sighted simplistic solutions, I will wait on the sidelines before I order such a blood test. I will also remember the potential damage such announcements can have in light of the mistakes that can be made that raise hopes only to be followed by disappointment. Or becoming reliant on a simple blood test and ignoring the many other complex phenomena associated with a suicide evaluation. We should all support research in psychology, neuroscience and genetic biology, but let’s wait for any final blood test finality.

Link to the study.

Hashtags: #drpaul #drhenrypaul #henrypaulmd #whenkidsneedmeds #mentalhealthteens #suicide #suicidebloodtest #suicideJohnHopkins

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

 

MENTAL HEALTH – AFTER TRAGEDY VIRGINIA TAKES THE LEAD!

July 24th, 2014

“At the end of the day, I want Virginia to come up with a model for treatment of mental illness,” Sen. R. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath.

By now many of you have heard the tragic story of Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds, who last fall was stabbed by his son, that same son who then took his own life. Gus Deeds, 24, had been released 13 hours earlier from an emergency custody order after local mental health workers failed to find a hospital psychiatric bed before the involuntary detention order expired.

In a statement to newsadvance.com, “His tragedy really gives voice to all of the families we hear from,” said John Snook, deputy director for governmental affairs at the Treatment Advocacy Center, a national organization based in Arlington.

“Those are families that struggle repeatedly to get help for people they love who are deteriorating in front of them — refusing to bathe and hearing voices. They say, ‘I know what is going to happen, but no one will listen,'” Snook said.

As a psychiatrist here in New York City, I see this same situation. I have met many family members throughout my career who have struggled with the same situation. Where do you go when you need mental health support for a loved one? Who will help the mentally ill if they don’t want to (or can’t) help themselves?

It’s evident that not just the state of Virginia has a fragmented and failing mental health system. Just one example is the clarion call from parents, victims and survivors of mass shootings across this country to make mental health a priority. Something I agree we desperately need to do. Let’s hope that the Joint Subcommittee to Study Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century will be a leader in finding solutions that other states across the nation can model.

In the meantime, it is important that you let your elected officials know that you too want to see mental health changes in your state. The last thing we want to be doing is cutting services!

Here are some other things you can do if you’re worried about your loved one:

  • Seek out resources – doctors, support groups, mental health clinics, mental health hotlines, etc. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a great resource in helping to support families and educate them on mental illness.
  • If your loved one has a diagnosis – educate yourself about their illness.
  • If you already have a treatment team in place, work close with them.
  • Make sure to take care of yourself. Find a support group or friends to talk to.
  • Click here to read more on the mental health panel in Virginia that began work this week.

#drpaul #drhenrypaul #henrypaulmd #whenkidsneedmeds #mentalhealthteens

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.